What Is a Convection Microwave and Do You Need One?
A convection microwave combines a standard microwave with a convection oven function. It can heat food with microwave radiation (fast) but also circulate hot air like a conventional oven (browning, roasting, crisping). This guide explains how they work, when they're useful, and whether one is right for your kitchen.
How Does a Convection Microwave Work?
Standard microwaves heat food by exciting water molecules using microwave radiation. This is very fast but doesn't brown or crisp food because no dry heat is involved — which is why microwaved food can be soggy or uniformly pale.
A convection microwave adds a heating element and a fan that circulates hot air around the food cavity. You can use it in three ways:
- Microwave only — same as a standard microwave, for reheating and defrosting
- Convection only — functions like a small fan-forced oven, browning and crisping food
- Combined mode — uses both simultaneously for faster cooking that still results in browned, crispy results
What Can You Cook in a Convection Microwave?
The expanded capability opens up cooking options that standard microwaves can't do:
- Roast vegetables that are actually caramelised, not steamed
- Bake muffins, cakes and biscuits
- Roast a small chicken or joint of meat
- Reheat pizza with a crispy base (not rubbery like standard microwave reheating)
- Grill fish, meat or vegetables
- Bake bread rolls
Who Benefits Most from a Convection Microwave?
A convection microwave makes the most sense for:
- Small kitchens without a full-size oven — it can replace or supplement the oven
- Apartments and granny flats with limited cooking equipment
- Office kitchens and break rooms
- Investors fitting out a studio or small apartment
- Anyone who wants faster cooking times with oven-quality results
Convection Microwave vs Dedicated Oven
A convection microwave is not a full replacement for a 60cm oven in a main kitchen. The cavity is smaller (25–45L vs 65–75L for a standard oven), it can't roast a full chicken as effectively as a large oven, and running costs are higher per hour than a full oven for large cooking tasks. It is, however, excellent as a secondary cooking appliance or for smaller households.
Top Brands and What to Look For
Key brands offering convection microwaves in Australia include Panasonic, Samsung and LG. Look for:
- Capacity of at least 32L for meaningful oven use
- Temperature range up to at least 220°C for baking and roasting
- An included rack and baking tray
- Sensor cooking (adjusts power and time automatically)
Find Convection Microwaves at Oceania Appliances
We occasionally stock convection microwaves from leading brands as ex-display and graded units. Contact us to check current availability. We also stock a full range of standard microwaves, ovens and cooktops with free delivery across Sydney.